Letters to the editor for Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The most beautiful season of the year is now upon us. This is the time when we think of peace and love, generosity and caring for our fellow man and the hope for a better tomorrow.

The most beautiful season of the year is now upon us. This is the time when we think of peace and love, generosity and caring for our fellow man and the hope for a better tomorrow.

During this time of gift giving, please consider the most important gift of all, the gift of life. Currently there are thousands of people waiting for lifesaving organs. Every day at least 13 more are added to the list, and every day people will die waiting. We have the technology to save lives, we have skilled medical personnel and facilities nearby, but we don't have the donors.

We have no way of knowing when God will call us home. When he does, we have the power to save lives. A single donor can save the lives of eight other people. Please consider signing an organ donor card this holiday season.

There is no greater gift. Be a hero.

Cheryl Curtis

Middletown

If you don't believe there is a double standard in this country, all we have to do is read the sentence handed down by Superior Court Judge Helene Abrahams on the ex-heavyweight champion Mike Tyson of 24 hours and three years probation. (Abrahams is from Mesa, Ariz.)

I wonder what the sentence would have been had he killed one of her children or relatives while under the influence not only of alcohol but also cocaine.

In my opinion, I believe there is something radically wrong with the judicial system that allows a judge to continue to sit on the bench after a decision like this.

Phil Mullen

Liberty

I rejoice with Congregation Eitz Chaim on the anticipated completion and dedication of their new synagogue. It will be a great time of anticipation and joy for them.

It was, therefore, regrettable that this time of joy was dashed by the senseless vandalism. I am saddened by this crime. There is a shared sense of violation and disappointment such actions brought to this congregation.

Along with other clergy in the Monroe-Woodbury area, I condemn this act in the strongest of terms. Our houses of worship are an asset to our community and are valued by us and worthy of respect from all. Our service is for the common good of all. The vandalism of a place to worship is an assault on all of us. I stand as part of the community that will not tolerate vandalism and destruction of property.

The Monroe Police Department is to be thanked for their response.

In this special season, all the residents of the Monroe-Woodbury community are wished warmest wishes for a year of peace and friendship, a year when there will be no place for disrespect for houses of worship, and when we may continually seek the common good in our communities.

Rev. Dr. Dwayne H. Mau, pastor

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Convener, Monroe-Woodbury Clergy Association

The Town of Deerpark has been in the news quite often in the past months.

They have had their share of problems, but I find the Hooters controversy rather petty unless facts are being kept from the public.

This is how it reads to me: A group of off-duty officers went out together for the evening. None of them were supposed to be on duty that night. I do not believe there is any law against any group gathering for an evening of camaraderie. It is actually a healthy activity. These men depend on each other in life-threatening circumstances at times. Isn't it good for them to gather in a relaxed atmosphere and have some fun together?

Yes, the town was left without enough law enforcement coverage, but it was not the fault of those who went to Hooters but appears to be a scheduling error.

Would the controversy be the same if they had gone somewhere else? I wonder.

A great deal of time has been spent investigating this incident and I would venture to guess that money has been spent, too.

Fortunately, nothing occurred that could not be taken care of that night by the state police officer on duty, so let's move on.

Peg Costic

Port Jervis

There are some that say that Barack Obama is not electable, so we have to stick with Hillary, as America will not elect a black man. Not true.

Colin Powell was a 10-point favorite over Bill Clinton in 1996 before he ruled himself out for a run for the presidency. Bob Dole would later plead with Gen. Powell to be his vice presidential candidate in order to bolster the ticket, but Powell again refused.

All Barack has to do is move to the right and toughen his positions on several issues, and wa-lah, he's electable.